The Historic Whaling Bar has Officially Returned to La Jolla
An iconic La Jolla bar with a storied history in the community has officially returned. Welcome back to the Whaling Bar!
If you’re unfamiliar, the Whaling Bar was long a legendary cornerstone of La Valencia Hotel — the nearly 100-year-old hotel known to locals as the “Pink Lady.”
The Whaling Bar itself was open in 1949, and quickly became a haunt for locals, tourists, and celebrities alike. It continued to be a crown jewel of the property until it was shuttered back in 2013. Now, however, it’s officially back.
The bar, which has been lovingly restored by LA agency Schoos Design, officially re-opened to the public earlier in February, according to Eater San Diego.
Although the La Jolla icon retains aspects of its history, it also features a new look with brass lights and emerald-colored booths. The Whaling Bar’s prior centerpiece, a 20-foot nautical mural by artist Wing Howard and preserved by the property, is also back.
The lunch and dinner menus have been curated by executive chef Brian Redzikowski, and features everything from caviar and blini to a lobster roll and duck meatballs.
Of course, there’s also going to be a full bar and cocktail menu that includes callbacks to the Whaling Bar’s prior history as a La Jolla icon.
That includes staples of the bar’s menu like the Whaler, a cocktail and includes cognac, coffee liqueur, Irish whiskey, and homemade ice cream. However, there are also many new options on the menu, such as truffle-infused Old Fashioneds and a cocktail dubbed the Parm to Glass, which is based on parmesan fat-washed vodka, fino sherry, housemade dry vermouth, and olive brine.
The bar’s new lease on life is the work of hospitality group SDCM Restaurant Group, known for local standouts like Captain’s Quarter speakeasy and Kettner Exchange.
The Whaling Bar is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for Happy Hour, and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. It’s located at 1132 Prospect Street in downtown La Jolla.
Media credit: Image courtesy of lavalencia.com
Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
